News: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 does not provide any safeguards for the continuance of the existing minimum support price (MSP)-based procurement regime. Facts: MSP is the minimum price paid to the farmers for procuring food crops. It is announced by the Government at the beginning of the sowing season.… Continue reading About MSP (Minimum Support Price)
Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released revised priority sector lending (PSL) guidelines to augment funding for COVID-19 impacted companies. Facts: Aim: To align Priority Sector lending with emerging national priorities and bring sharper focus on inclusive development. Key Revised PSL Guidelines: Bank finance for start-ups (up to ₹50 crore), loans to farmers for installation of… Continue reading Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines
IBSA
News: External Affairs Minister of India has chaired the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Foreign Ministers meet. Facts: The countries called for accelerated and comprehensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). They also agreed to extend their support to the African Union in accordance with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration. Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte… Continue reading IBSA
WHO South East Asia Region (SEAR)
News: The 73rd session of WHO South East Asia Region was held under the Chairmanship of Minister of Health, Thailand. Facts: WHO South East Asia Region (SEAR): It was established at the First World Health Assembly in 1948. Objective: To address persisting and emerging epidemiological and demographic challenges in the South East Asia Region. Member… Continue reading WHO South East Asia Region (SEAR)
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)
Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC): It is a regional organization founded in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. Aim: To create an enabling environment for economic development; accelerate social progress and promote collaboration on matters of common interest in the region. Members: It comprises seven Member States: five deriving from… Continue reading BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)
Live Streaming of Court Proceedings
LIVE STREAMING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS As the first example in India, Gujarat High Court is live-streaming its Court proceedings on Youtube. High Court has also said that this proceeding is on an experimental basis only and its continuity will be decided based on the outcome of this trial. Important questions to ask here are: is… Continue reading Live Streaming of Court Proceedings
Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020
Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020 News: Government of India has introduced “The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020” in the Lok Sabha. Facts: Aim: To regulate the assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics and the assisted reproductive technology banks, prevention of misuse, safe and ethical practice of assisted reproductive technology services. Key Provisions of the… Continue reading Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020
Air Pollution in India
Context: US President has criticised India’s air quality. What is the state of air pollution in India? The State of Global Air that is a collaborative study of Health Effect Institute and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation of Global Burden of Disease Project has presented that: PM 2.5 Concentration: India recorded the highest annual… Continue reading Air Pollution in India
Evolving Strategic Autonomy
Context: The engagement of India and China in the West Asia region is a good example of their evolving strategic autonomy. What is strategic autonomy and How the concept is evolving? Strategic autonomy is the ability of a state to pursue its national interests and adopt its preferred foreign policy without being constrained in any… Continue reading Evolving Strategic Autonomy
Climate Change and Gendered Vulnerabilities
Context– Due to the pandemic, India has an opportunity to build climate resilience and address gender equality issues. How India can tackle widening inequalities? The recovery is offering India two golden opportunities: To build climate resilience for the most vulnerable by ensuring that stimulus measures are green. To meaningfully address long-standing gender equality issues. What… Continue reading Climate Change and Gendered Vulnerabilities
